Certificate Program in Accounting

To address professional development needs in accounting, the
School of Continuing and Professional Studies offers a ten-course certificate
program. Composed of six required credit courses and four electives, the accounting
certificate program is designed for adult students wishing to enter the accounting
field, as well as those already employed in accounting-related positions. The
program is offered at the Northern Virginia center. Contact the center for admission,
transfer, and certificate completion requirements.

Course Descriptions

ACCT 201 - (3)Introductory AccountingDesigned to introduce students to the language of business,
the course begins with the role of financial data in contemporary society, proceeds
to develop the accounting model for capturing financial data, and finishes with
the problems of measuring and reporting income, assets, liabilities, and equities.

ACCT 202 - (3)Introductory Accounting IIPrerequisite: ACCT 201.
Continuation
of ACCT 201. Approximately one third of the course deals with additional financial
accounting topics, emphasizing managerial considerations
and financial analysis. Cost accumulation, allocation, and product cost methods
are studied in a manufacturing setting. Matters such as evaluation of performance
planning, cost behavior, and special decisions are emphasized.

ACCT 311 - (3)Intermediate Accounting IPrerequisite: ACCT 202.
An intensive study of the generally accepted
accounting principles for asset valuation, income measurement, and financial
statement presentation
for business organizations, and the processes through which these principles
evolve.

ACCT 312 - (3)Intermediate Accounting IIPrerequisite: ACCT 311.
Continuation of ACCT 311, emphasizing accounting
for the equities of a firms investors and creditors. Covers special problem
areas in financial accounting including accounting for leases, pensions, and
income taxes.

ACCT 314 - (3)Cost AccountingPrerequisite: ACCT 202.
Addresses analysis of cost behavior and volume
profit relationships; responsibility accounting and reporting flexible budgets;
and the use of standard
costs to guide and control performance.

BUS 341 - (3)Commercial Law IAnalysis of the basic legal principles applicable to ordinary
commercial transactions, with special emphasis on contracts, agencies, and
commercial paper.

BUS 342 - (3)Commercial Law IIPrerequisite: BUS 341.
Reviews basic legal principles applicable to
formation and operation of business organizations including corporate and non-corporate
entities.
Also covers significant areas of legal regulation of business and property
transactions.

BUS 371 - (3)Managerial Finance IPrerequisites: ACCT 202.
Emphasizes the development of managerial theory
and decision methodology in evaluating the financial function of the firm. Analyzes
working
capital management, the concepts and techniques employed in the procurement
of resources from financial markets, and their allocation to productive investments.

ACCT 445 - (3)Federal Taxation IPrerequisite: ACCT 202 or instructor permission.
An analysis of the
federal income tax law and its application to individuals. A study is made of
problems covering personal and business tax
situations. Several cases are assigned for which the student prepares illustrative
tax returns.

ACCT 521 - (3)Introductory AuditingPrerequisite: ACCT 312.
Examines auditing methodology through a study
of auditing standards. Includes the nature of evidence, program planning, work
papers, internal control
evaluation, types of audit tests, and audit reports.

ACCT 525 - (3)Advanced AuditingPrerequisite: ACCT 521.
Builds on the concepts and practice examples
from introductory auditing to provide students with an in-depth understanding
of professional
standards, the audit process, advanced audit techniques, and the auditors
role in ensuring that publicly issued financial statements are fairly presented.

ACCT 533 - (3)Accounting for Non-Business OrganizationsPrerequisite: ACCT 312.
Financial accounting for governmental and non-profit
organizations. Studies the theory and techniques of accounting and reporting
for various funds
and groups of accounts.

ACCT 711 - (3)Accounting TheoryPrerequisite: ACCT 312.
Examines the theories underlying the financial
measurement of events that affect reporting entities. Includes the historical
development
of accounting thought and how it has been influenced by social, political,
and economic forces. Analyzes the structure and methodology of theory; examines
objectives, postulates, and principles; and explores income determination and
the valuation, classification, and reporting of assets and equities.